Citation

Kawsar M, Long S, Srivastava OP. Int. J. STD AIDS 2008; 19(5): 349-350.

Affiliation

Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust, Luton, Bedfordshire LU4 0DZ.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1258/ijsa.2007.007209

PMID

18482969

Abstract

Joint examination by doctors with complementary skills and screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are recommended in children who may have been sexually abused or have been found to have an STI. Our study showed that criminal proceedings were more likely to be brought in cases with physical signs of sexual abuse. It could be difficult to prove whether sexual abuse had taken place or not with microbiological evidence alone, in the absence of other evidence. Significance of viral STIs in the context of sexual abuse should be evaluated carefully. The review of our practice re-enforced the importance of joint examination of children with suspected STIs.

Language: en